As soon as they reached the wharf, the men advised them to run home and dry themselves, which they proceeded to do.
When Oscar reached home, he was so hoarse, from hallooing, that he could not speak aloud.

When his mother heard of his exposure, and saw how wet he was, she was much concerned for him.

She wished him to change his damp clothing, but he did not think it necessary, and instead of complying with her desire, he sat down to the fire and dried himself.

He had but little appetite for supper; and a headache coming on in the evening, he retired to bed early.

Before dong so, however, he took a dose of medicine which his mother had prepared, to "throw off" his cold.
After a feverish and restless night--in which, in his troubled dreams, Oscar had floated to sea upon a small piece of ice, and, after a long agony, foundered alone in fathomless waters--he awoke in the morning feeling very strangely.